air plant
Tillandsia ionantha
USDA zones9 to 11
SunNeeds partial sun (4 to 6 hours)
WaterNeeds dry soil
Size12 inches tall4 to 8 inches wide
- Growth rate
- Moderate
- Habit
- Arching
- Bloom season
- Spring, summer, autumn, winter
- Bloom color
- Blue, purple
- Foliage color
- Gray/silver, red/burgundy
Garden uses
Notes
Air plant (Tillandsia ionantha) is a houseplant for containers and low maintenance growing. It grows outdoors year-round in USDA zone 9 and warmer, down to about 20°F (-7°C). In colder areas, grow it as a houseplant or bring it indoors for winter. This plant likes part sun and dry soil. Its silver-gray leaves blush red, and it bears blue to purple flowers. The leaves arch gracefully, and the plant is evergreen and drought tolerant.
Pairs well with Rose of jericho, Cape primrose, and Jojoba.
Native range
Mexico & Central America.